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Virat Kohli has shared a heartfelt tribute to Cheteshwar Pujara after his retirement, celebrating the latter’s resilience and legacy in Indian Tests.
Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara wait to return to the pitch after tea on day 2 of the 2023 WTC Final (Picture credit: AFP)
Ace India batter Virat Kohli on Tuesday left a heartwarming message for his former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara, who announced his retirement on Sunday, August 24, after 15 years of international cricket. Kohli and Pujara have had numerous partnerships together in Tests.
The 37-year-old Pujara, who played 103 Tests and scored 7195 runs at an average of 43.6, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, drawing curtains on a career that epitomised resilience in the longest format.
Under Kohli and former India head coach Ravi Shastri, Pujara flourished in Tests, scoring important runs at No. 3 not just at home but away as well, especially Down Under, where he played big roles in India winning two consecutive Test series.
“Thank you for making my job easier at 4 Pujji. You have had an amazing career. Congratulations and wish you the best for what is ahead. God bless,” Kohli wrote on his Instagram story.
Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, two of India’s mainstays in the middle order besides Kohli, fell out of reckoning after 2023 and even though they expressed their desires to play Tests again for India and performed on the domestic circuit, the comeback remained elusive.
BCCI underlined Pujara’s contribution to Indian cricket, lauding his perseverance in Test cricket.
“Cheteshwar Pujara’s career is a shining example of perseverance and selflessness. He personified the spirit of Tests. His ability to grind opposition attacks and his immense powers of concentration made him the bulwark of India’s batting,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement.
In ODIs though, Pujara couldn’t make any impact, managing only 51 runs in five games, but his contribution in Tests has marked him as one of the best long-format batters India has ever produced.
“There are no regrets. I am very fortunate to have played for the Indian team for such a long time; not many players got that opportunity, so I am very thankful to my family and people who have supported me,” Pujara told the media.
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